Camera Shops I Always Visit in Tokyo

Whenever I’m in Tokyo, whether I’m just travelling or there for a concert tour, I always make time for a little camera hunting. Not necessarily to buy anything (though that does happen), but more because these places just feel good to be in! There are two shops I keep coming back to, and if you’re like me, you might not want to miss this one.

1. Tokyo Camera

This one’s super neat. They have two main sections: one for junk cameras, and one for working ones. Everything’s clean, well-organized, and just nice to look at. Even the camera filters are sorted by size, which makes me happy!

What I love the most is how they treat even the broken stuff with care. It's like every camera, even the ones that don’t work anymore, still gets some kind of quiet respect. I always imagine who’s going to take them home. Maybe a collector, maybe someone who just wants to use it as decor, or maybe that one photographer who loves taking things apart and fixing them just for fun.

2. Camera Box

This one's hidden in a basement in Shinjuku, and it’s a little messier than Tokyo Camera. But that’s part of its charm. I found one of my favorite camera bags here for super cheap. They’ve got lenses, filters, straps, random screws. Basically, all the little things that make camera nerds excited. There’s even a junk section with stuff just tossed in cardboard boxes on the floor. I love digging through that.

Last time I went, I noticed the prices had gone up. Not crazy high, but enough to notice. Turns out there’s been a general surge in analog gear prices lately as more people get into film photography, and supply isn’t what it used to be. Still, it’s one of those spots that’s worth visiting! Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll definitely find something weird and cool to hold in your hands.

One of the things I really admire about Japan is how they appreciate order and treat vintage stuff with such care. They don’t just toss old things out, they give them a dedicated space. A broken camera still gets a spot, still gets looked at, maybe even loved again. I feel at home in that mindset. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back.